Centrifugal frequency-time-element relay



Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,176

- R. v. APPLETON 1 CENTRIFUGAL ERE UENcY TIME ELEMENT RELAY Filed 1101.1. 1925 Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUSSELL V. APPLETON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR FORTY AND ONE-HALF PER CENT 'IO ARCH WEL'IY, SZXTEEH AND ONE-HALF PER CENT T0 ARTHUR VJELTY, AND TWO AND ONE-HALF PER CENT T0 FRED WELTY, ALL OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CENTRIFUGAL FREQUENCY-TIME-ELEMENT RELAY.

Application filed October 1, 1925. Serial No. 59,800.

My invention pertains to features of novelty, both structural and functional, in electrical relays and relates more especially to improvements in appliances of this character which act with a time element or delay and which depends actions occasioned by various frequencies impressed on the device.

One object of the invention is to provide a time element relay which has both slow and quick actions, or operations at 'substan tially different speeds, which can be controlled by modifying the frequencies impressed on the circuit, these slow and quick operations being employed to make and break contacts at predetermined time elements for traincontrol purposes or analogous uses.

Another of the features of the invention is the production of a relay that is self-locking according to the frequencies used in the circuit, the impressed frequencies locking the relay in a particular position until a new frequency is employed. v

Another aim of the invention is to supply an apparatus of this character in which one contact is adapted to close its circuit slowly upon energization of the relay and to open it quickly upon de-energization, the other contact closing quickly upon such en rgization and opening slowly upon de-energization of the magnet.

The invention concerns more particularly a construction based on the use of a centrifugal apparatus mounted on the rotor shaft of the relay which determines what contact is to be operated and that in turn is governed by the frequency impressed on the circuit.

An added aim or purpose of the invention to provide a device having the specified. characteristics which is simple in construction, effective in use, and which can be pro-- vided at relatively small cost.-

To enable those skilled in this art to have a full and complete understanding of the invention, in the accompanying drawin forming a. part of this specification, and throughout the several views of which like reference characters have been used to designate the same parts, a present desirable and preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated more or less diagrammatically.

upon different centrifugal in mesh with and revolves a bevel-gear 39 r on a sultablyeupported shaft ll equipped In this drawing:

Figure 1 is an illustration of an entire apparatus, some of the details of the structure being omitted to more clearly present its more important parts;

Figure 2 is a diagram of the circuits for the motor employed; and

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to this drawing, it will be seen that the new appliance includes an induction motor 21 of known type, the wiring diagram which is shown in Figure 2, wherein the three leads 22, 23 and 24 are connected to the rotor 25 and the field 26 in the way clearly depicted. 7

The shaft 27 of such motor has a plurality of arms 28 hinged thereon, each such arm at its lower or outer end having a weight or centrifugal ball 29, the members 23being connected by a corresponding or other number of links 31 to a disk 32 on a reciprocatory shaft 33 revoluble in bearings, not shown, and equipped with an elongated gear 34 and at its upper end with a double or duplex bevel-gear 38.

Gear 34 is constantly in mesh with and drives a gear element having teeth 35 on its side meshing with those of the gear 34 and teeth 36 on its edge in cooperative relation with those of a hinged or pivoted sector 37, whereby the motor by the gearing specific-d actuates such sector so long as the latter s permitted to remain in mesh with its co1n panion gear 36.

lVhen the slidable shaft 33 is in a lower position, as shown in-Figure 1, the location of the shaft being dependent upon the speed of rotation of the rotor of the motor, which in turn is governed by the frequency of the electric current supplied thereto, gear 38 i with a collar or enlargement littedwith a 'laterally-outstanding pin or. lug 43 located beneath the lower end of an appropriatelyguided bar or rod 4A pivotally connected at 45 to a contact lever 46 fulcrumed at at? on a. stationary support and at which point it is also connected to an electric conductor 48.

' When the shaft 33 is in a more elevated position, by reason of a greater speed of rotation of the rotor, because of a current of greater frequency supplied thereto, the upper section of the duplex gear 38 meshes with another bevel-gear 4-9 on a revoluble shalt i3 having av collar or enlai ement equipped with an outstanding p111 below the lower end cl, and adapted to enact with, a rod 54: hinged to the contactlever =l-6 at on the opposite side of the fulcrum 47 from the connection 45.

The contact lever 46 and its associated parts as described are balanced as to their weight with respect to the fulcrum so that the lever will remain in any position in which it may be placed until moved or shifted therefrom.

Sector 37 is l'ulcrumed or hinged at on the sliding armature 57 of an electromagnet 58, a spring 59 normally pressing the sector into toothed enge 'elnent with its correlated gear the magnet. l' o'viever, when energized being capable of over-powering the action of the spring and withdrawing the sector from cooperative relation with its srear.

The sector carries two, parallel, spring contacts 61 and 62 on. an insulation-blocl: (33, these contacts being adjacent to the lower :l'ree end of the contact arm or lever ll the latter in one side having an insert 64 of insulating material.

Both of these contacts 61 and (32 are electrically connected by a wire 65 to one terminel of the magnet, the companion terminal being joined. to a wire 66, the remainder of the circuit between the latter and the condoctor 46 not being shown because unncces sary for a full understandin; of the present invention.

An arm 67 tulcrumed on a stationary sup port at 68 carries an insulated leafspri contact 69 connected to a conductor 71. :11 adapted to play or move between bacl: contact 72 in a stop, cut-in or other circuit and a front contact 73 in a proceed or other proper circuit.

Another arm T l is :treely oscillatory on the fulcrum. pin or shaft 68 and carries an insulated leaf-spring contact 75 joined to a conductor 76 and adapted to move between two back contacts 77 and 78, the latter conven ieutly being in a caution cut-in circuit controlled by the speed of the train azul the 'lormer in any appropriate circuit, and a front contact 79 in a caution or other circuit.

A bar 81, loosely pivotally-coin]eeteal a 8:2 to the arm or lever 67, has a pin and slo connection 83 with the segment and a similar pin and slot connection 84: with a short link 85 hinged at 86to the switch-arm 74-.

hen the motor is operating at a low 'l'requency, for example cyc s oer second the gear 38 WllllQVOlVB sha -.l and pin. 4!} through the means of gear 23;) and the contact lever l6 a definite position which it will thereafter maintain the continued idle rerolution oi the pin with the shall huviugr no subsequent ellect ou the part to.

The revolution of slial't I53?) through gears 34-, 3:3 and $36 will rock the sector 37 anal its; contacts (ii and ($2 upwardly toward the now stationary contact-arm to.

As soon as the sector begins its movement carrying the bar 81 with it, the latter through the link will (prickly rock arm Tel to move the contact 75 away from the switch terminals 77 and 7t and into (:(Iill'ltfii with the iront switch terminal 79, thus breaking the two circuits and making or closing; the one.

Before the travel of the seclor can shill the switch contact 69, howe'v the contact 61 will have engaged the complementary contact 46 thereby closing the circuit through the electro-n'iacnct, the energizatimi of which eli'ects the withdrawal of the sector from cooperative action with its gear hence terminoting; its turning movement, and the parts are held in this relation until the magnet is d 1d, when the weight of the elemerits involved will restore the sector and the switch members to their original positions.

It to be remembered that members ()7 and 'Z-l are separate elements independent y tulcrumed at 68 and that arm (37 is actuatwl by bar Ell when the latter moves directly upwardly by reason of the connection at lkitlllliil (37 does not move until sector arm 81 moves upwardly be: [e of the slot connection 83 and arm 1 moves only when sector bar 81 pulls link 85 in a vertical movement because of slot 84. i

Thus it will be seen that when low he queue is impressed upon the relay circu t the ccntri'lw a1 apparatus revolves douhh hevel gear 3o at the position shown in thidrawing, meshingwith 'grcarZ-lll, therefore push ingg arm iel upwardly by ineu'iher +13 to theposition shown rothat linger l6 reuia near Contact '61. As the rector mores ly, it immediately engrar contact l ainst linger such upwaro c. or presses 2210 thereby providing a circuit to magnet 56, pulling rector gee our from the gear 36 and holding it in tha position.

The lirst tendency of the sector arm t ll is to move towa 3d t 'e left pullinglink 85 wi h it and by the time sector bar 81 will be r-o mover actuating; link H5, arm T l and tact 75 so as to cause the latter to engage contact 79 the contact 61 would have euga ned with finger 4.6.

In ca-Ze the motor is operated at a higher frequency, and consequently at a greater speed the gear 238 will be brought into mesh with gear 4:9 and the consequent rotation pin or lug through bar 54- Will posh tron ll 2 outdoor lever 4. at a higher location lllll lif or elevation so that a greater degree of turning of the sector will. be required before contact is made with such member 46.

slot connection of the bar 81 with the sector will have been taken up or reached its limit so that continued turnin of the sector lifts the bar sui'iicien'tly to rock switch lever 67 and move contact 69 from contact 72 over against the front contact 73, thus bringing about the desired change in circuit connections.

As in the previous case, when the magnet is tie-energized the parts fall to their original positions by reason of their weights.

hen higher frequency is in the relay circuit, gear 49 is in mesh with the doublebevel gear 38 so that lug 53 moves the finger 46 to the right and upwardly sufficiently so that when the sector rocks upwardly with its contacts 61 and 62, contact 61 would not touch finger 46 because of the position it would obtain when moved by the sector in a quarter circle, but contact 62 would press directly against the linger 46 and close the magnet 58 circuit. It is to be understood that the insulation 64 on finger 46 is there as a safeguard, so that if the arms 44, 54 and 46 become bent, the energization of the magnet would not be effected.

When such higher frequency is in the circuits of the relay, the sector continues to travel but brings slot 84 into play, so that the pin of arm slides down in slot 84 as sector arm 81 moves upwardly and takes up Jlt'll upward play to prevent arm 74 fronr moving any further.

Contact 61 simply moves entirely out of line of contact with arm 46 raised higher than on low frequency. This is controlled by lug 43 pushing arm 46 down further than lug 53 will do. If low frequency is operating the motor, lug 43 pushes arm 46 down to its lowest point toward contacts 61, 62 and as the sector moves upwardly contact 61 comes into contact with arm 46 first and completes the circuit to magnets 58. If the high frequency current is impressed on the motor, the centrifugal action will move gear 38 to gear 49 so that lug 52 pushes arm 46 upwardly away from contact 61 breaking the magnet 58 circuit and sector 37 Will fall upon gear 36 and will be moved upwardly again. Since arm 46 is farther away from its former position, contact 61 will pass beyond arm 46 entirely and as the sector moves in a quarter circle contact 62 below contact 61 will touch arm 46.

Thus it will be seen that when either frequency is used, switchmember 75 is quickly operated, but the delayed or retarded action of the switch-element 69 only occurs when a current of the greater or higher frequency is employed.

in case the appliance should be operating under slow speed and low frequency and the contact 61 is near and. approaching the depressed contact arm 46 and the frequency should be quickly changed to the higher one, the upward rocking of the sector would continue at increased speed and if the pin 53 did not quickly change the position of the member 46, spring 61 would become bent dmvnwardly unduly and possibly injured.

Under these circumstancspring 61 imuld pass up beyond the end of arm 46 and rest on the insulation insert 64 until the lower contact 62 engages the arm and energizes the magnet.

The double contact feature and the associated insulation insert constitute a safety measure under such circumstances.

The invention is not limited and restricted to this particular embodiment of the invention and many minor mechanical changes may be incorporated in such astructure without departure from the heart and essence of the invention and without the sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits and advantages.

I claim:

1. In an appliance'of the character described, the combination of an electric inoter adapted to be operated at two different speeds by reason of currents oftwo difierent frequencies supplied thereto, means carrying an electric-contact"moved by said motor, another relatively-stationary adjustable contact with which said first contact is designed to engage, centrifugal means operated by said motor controlling the position of said second contact, an electro-magnet in the circuit of said contacts which, when energized, breaks the operative connection between said motor and said first electric-contact.

2. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of anelectricmotor subject to operation at different speedsby reason of electric currents of different frequencies supplied thereto, a sector geared to and turned by said motor, an electro-magnet to break said gear connection when. energized, an electric-switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet a movable contact of which is operated by said sector, centrifugal means operated by said motor to determine the position of the companion contact of said switch, and another electric switch operated by said sector.

3. In an appliance of the character describechthe combination of an electric-motor subject to operation at different speeds by reason of electric currents of different frequencies supplied thereto, an electro-magnet, a switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet,

said two switches a driving connection'between said motor and a movable contact of said switch, means whereby said electro-magnet when energized breaks said driving connection, centrifugal means operated by said motor determining the position of adjustment of the companion contact of said switch, and a second switch operated by said driving connection.

at. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of an electric-motor subject to operation at different speeds by reason ot' electric currents of different frequencies supplied thereto, an oscillatory sector, a gear rotated by said motor to turn said sector, an electro-magnet adapted to withdraw said sector from operative engagement with said gear, an electric-switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet having a movable contact on said sector and a companion contact, centrifugal means driven by said motor to position said companion contact according to the speed of rotation of the motor, two other switches, a bar slidingly mounted on said sector, and means connecting said bar to to operate them in sequence. 7

5. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of an electric-motor subject to operation at different speeds by reason of electric currents of different frequencies supplied thereto, an oscillatory sector, a gear rotatedby said motor to turn said sector, an electro-magnet adapted to with-- draw said sector from operative engagement with said gear. an electric-switch in the circuit of said electro-magnet having a mov able contact on said sector and a companion contact, a slidable shaft, centrifugal means driven by said motor to rotate said shatt and slide it in accordance with the speed of the motor, a gear on said shaft, a pair of gears with either one of which said latter gear may mesh depending upon the speed of the motor, means connecting said pair of gears to said companion switch contact whereby the adjustment of the latter is determined by which gear is active thereon, a bar slidably mounted on said sector, a second switch with which said bar is connected, a third switch, and a link pivoted thereto and having a pin and slot connection with said bar, whe T turning movement of the sector op or third switch first and t no second six trh later provided the sector has not been discouiwcted from its gear in the meantime by the action of the electro-n'iagnet.

6. In an appliance ot the character described, the combination of an electric-motor subject to operation at ditferent speeds by reason of electric currents of different frequencies supplied thereto, two loctricswitches, and means including an elea magnet connecting said motor to switches to operate the latter, one of switches closing quickly and opening after a period of d-e-energization oi the magnet, the other switch closing after a period and opening quickly upon de-energization of the magnet.

7. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of an electric-motor adapted to be operated at different speeds, nu electric-switch, means whereby said motor operates said switch, an electro-magnet :1ci'- ing on said means to break the connection between the motor and the switch and to maintain the latter in the posi on which it occupies when such connection is brcl the electroanagnet is de-energized.

8. In an appliance of the character described, the combination of an elcctricunotoi' adapted to be operated at different speeds, a pair of electric switches, means whereby sa d motor operates said switches in sequence, and an electro-magnet acti a; on said means to break the connection bctv zeen the motor and the switches and to maintain the latter in the positions they occupy when such connection is broken until the elecrroanagnct is tie-energized.

In. witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RUSSELL V. APPLETON.

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